Throwing a 40th Birthday Party on a budget?

[TheRatPack]

I'm a horrible adult party planner, I can plan my kids parties all day long and they always have enough family/friends and food. Last time I planned my grandparents 50th wedding anniversary only a handful of people showed up and the rented space was locked (person in charge forgot I'd booked...Ughhh) so I ended up moving it all to the library across the street.

So now I'm a few months away from my DH's 40th and I wanted to plan a party. I know family will come and he has a handful of friends from his childhood that he still talks to on occasion so I'll invite them as well. But, I am on a budget and not sure really where to have it. I don't want to really have it at my house, but hate to rent out somewhere and not have anyone show up....that's always embarrassing LOL

So where can you rent out party space? What's a good budget for food and such? Any ideas on other aspects of such a party? I have the invitation idea, just not really having any major ideas pop up for everything else.

 

[JillandFamily]

You could try a local community center. I know around here they aren't all that expensive. Also sometime you can rent out your local senior center. Maybe for food you could do like rigatoni and salad and some other sides. Hope this helps.

 

[dougsmom98]

Some restaurants around here have small private rooms where they can fit parties. They don't charge to rent it out, but you have to buy their food. Some pizza places have spaces like this. Get some pizzas, pitchers of beer, and soda and maybe some plates of appetizers. It sounds like it wouldn't necessarily be a huge party so something like this might work. I'm sure they would let you bring in a cake too.

 

[TheRatPack]

Thanks I've found a couple of local restaurants that allow this too, but how do they deal with the food? I realize a pizza place would just charge you by the pie, plus extras...but what if you rent out a room at a restaurant that has choices/menus? I definitely don't forsee being able to afford everyone whatever they want to order LOL I guess I could try a local BBQ place too, I think they sell by the pound and maybe then they'd just add sides and drinks to the tab. Gosh, a lot to think about....thanks

 

[Cindy B]

My DH threw me a 40th birthday party back in November. We got Italian food catered to our home. We have many options near our home, but we did wind up ordering from Maggiano's. Maggiano's had a wonderful service that did set up, all utensils, sterno, salad, entree, appetizer and dessert. It was delicious.

All we supplied were drinks.

It was a fabulous time! It was cheaper to have nicer food at our home instead of paying everyone per head. This way we could watch the alcohol intake (people did bring bottles of wine and soft drinks over) and not have an astronomical bar bill.

 

[TheRatPack]

Yea Cindy as much as I hate the clean up at the house...it's always so much easier and everyone knows where it is LOL Plus if not many show up....no big loss on renting a whole room or minimums...etc.

 

[figment3258]

I throw a 30th zsurpruse party for my cousin and I really had no idea on how Manu people would show up. My aunt gave me her address book from college and hardly anyone RSVP that they were coming only a handful on no's but in the end there were a lot of people. We did it at my aunts house and I made the food with my family and then we ordered some platters from a store. You could rent like a vow hall for around 100$ or so and then have some help with the food. We did a Jimmy buffet theme and it worked out well and easy . Good luck I know I planned it for a year it was stressful but so worth it to see her face.